Disclaimer: HP and FMA do not and will not ever belong to me no matter how hard I wish to the high heavens. If they did you would get 1 chapter of Ed being a father and Severus Snape would not have died.

It was over. Father was defeated and sent back to the Gate and all the Homunculi were gone. Everyone should have been rejoicing. The Promised Day was over, after all. And yet, in the middle of Central HQ, was a group of people who had fought so hard that day, succeeded on gaining victory, and were not rejoicing one bit.

How could they when Alphonse had yet to come back?

Edward was there, kneeling next to a broken piece of amour. The amour that used to be his little brother. Alphonse had let his soul get taken by the Gate so that his brother could get his right arm back to escape from Father. You idiot! was all Ed could think. Surrounding Ed were those like Ling and Hohenheim-each offering him something to get Al back. He had outright refused Ling's offer of the Philosopher's stone. Hohenheim's suggestion however…

'Edward' he had called, 'Use my life… To get Alphonse back. I have just enough left for one-,'

'You idiot! I can't do that!' Edward roared back, cutting Hohenheim off, 'It's our own fault we lost our bodies! We've said over and over that we wouldn't use other people's lives to get Al back!' he thundered on. Taking in a staggering breath, Edward continued, 'Why should you sacrifice your life anyway?'

'It's because I'm your father.'

Those words hit Ed harder than even Father's blast. Before his son could retaliate Hohenheim ploughed on, 'This isn't about necessity or reason. You two mean more to me than anything. I want you to be happy.' Looking at his eldest son squarely in the eyes, he said, 'You tried to bring Trisha back because you were lonely. What happened to you is partly my fault for leaving you alone… I'm sorry… At least, let me be a father to you in the end.'

By then, Edward was choking back sobs. With tears running down his face, he managed to shout, 'Don't be stupid, you shitty excuse of a father! Don't you ever say that again or I'll kick your ass!'

Edward's father could only stare in surprise as his son talked. Then he let out a faint chuckle as Ed's words finally sunk in, 'You finally called me father, Ed.'

Edward gave his father a half-hearted glare as he furiously wiped of the tears on his cheeks. Looking around, he saw the people whom he had fought with just a few hours ago to defeat the Homunculus in the Flask. All of them were grieving for Al.

May, he thought, are all those tears for Al? And Ling? You needed the Philosopher's stone to save your clan and become emperor and yet you still offered it up. Colonel, Lieutenant, Teacher, even Donkey Kong and Zampano… The guys from Briggs and Central too…Everyone is waiting for Al…

Stamping his foot in frustration Edward continued thinking of a way to bring his little brother back. He wouldn't consider giving himself up as equivalent exchange. No. Ed knew only too well the pain of being left alone with no family to help. He could never, ever put Alphonse through that.

Looking around the battlefield once more, Edward took in all the worried faces of his comrades who had stuck with him through thick and thin. Even that Colonel Bastard was wearing a worried expression. Edward glanced down at his mismatched hands-his right was thin and malnourished, his left, muscled and toned.

That's it! Edward exclaimed mentally, as he realized something. That's the answer! But can I really..? Shaking his head, Edward's golden eyes hardened in resolve. Of course I can! I am the youngest State Alchemist in history aren't I? And those guys… None of them has ever told me to give up! This is it Al, he thought, smiling, I'm bringing you back. This time, for good!

Standing, Ed grabbed hold of a nearby metal rod before asking Mei to move. With a small smile on his face, he began to drag the rod along the ground forming shapes. Everyone else crowded around to see what the young alchemist was trying to do.

'That's a..!' Armstrong gasped as he saw the almost complete transmutation circle Edward had drawn.

Izumi too looked on in shock and slight horror as she saw her apprentice's array, 'Edward! That's a human transmutation circle! What do you think you're doing!? Don't you dare-'

Edward cut her off, 'I'm not going to give myself up,' then louder, he said with a grin, 'This is your lucky day everyone! You are all going to witness the Fullmetal Alchemist's last transmutation!'Before anyone could react, Edward clapped his hands together as if in prayer and placed them on the edge of the circle.

In a flash of blue alchemical light, the Fullmetal Alchemist was gone.

#*#

Edward opened his eyes to find himself in a white expanse in front of giant stone doors and a sitting outlined white figure that had his left leg.

'Have you come for your brother?' the colorless form, Truth, asked, 'But how will you pull a whole person out..? What is the payment? Will you offer your body?'

The whole time ignoring the Truth, Edward marched towards his Gate, proclaiming, 'The payment's here,' he said, tapping his knuckles on the stone doors, smirking, 'This huge thing should be enough, don't you think so?'

For a brief moment, shock registered on the Truth's face. Then, he said 'The Gate of Truth exists within everyone. That is how everyone can use alchemy…' Standing, the Truth leveled himself with Edward. 'Will you degrade yourself to an ordinary person, unable to use alchemy?'

A sad smile gracing his lips, Edward replied, 'There's nothing degrading about it you know. I have always been an ordinary person.' Remembering Nina, he continued, 'A small person, who couldn't save a small girl who turned into a chimera. Since seeing the Truth or whatever, I've relied too much on it, made too many mistakes.' Facing his Gate, Ed said, '…I've become its puppet even.'

Staring at Edward curiously, the Truth asked him, '…Will you be alright about this?'

Turning to look squarely at the Truth, Ed answered with a grin, 'Even without alchemy, I still have my friends!'

A brief pause then, 'That is correct alchemist!' was Truth's reply with an even bigger grin on his face, 'You have beaten the Truth! Take it all, take ever-! '

Just as the Truth was about to complete his sentence and Edward was going to deconstruct his Gate, red and blue alchemical light appeared, interrupting them.

#*#

As soon as his son disappeared to the Gate, Hohenheim had dislodged himself from Izumi's shoulders and staggered towards the array that Edward had just used. Taking up the rod and working quickly, he drew another circle over the existing array.

'Hohenheim!' exclaimed Izumi, 'What are you doing!?'

'I'm going to bypass Ed's circle and get to him before he gives anything up.' Was his reply.

'But why?' asked Edward's teacher, 'He's not going to give himself up! Ed's probably already figured out a way to bring Al back without endangering either of their lives.'

There was a brief silence as Hohenheim finished up the last of his array. Looking up to face Izumi, he said, 'No, Edward is not going to give himself up. Instead- as you should have guessed- he's going to give up his Gate. I can't let that happen… Alchemy means a lot to that boy, and even if he is more than willing to give it up for his brother, I want him to be able to learn new things with it… to make this country a better place...'

'And you know that Edward is going to curse you for this!' came back the housewife's answer.

Smiling Hohenheim answered, 'I know. But, I take it as one of the perks of being that boy's father..,'

That was the last time anyone of them saw Van Hohenheim ever again before he disappeared in a flash of alchemical light, not unlike what his son had done earlier…

#*#

'My, my,' remarked the Truth, his grin falling, 'Seems like we have a gatecrasher here…'

'Nice to meet you again Truth,' replied Hohenheim, stretching and grimacing, 'I'm getting way too old for this kind of travel…'

Somewhat frozen in shock, Edward managed to blurt out, 'Old man?! W-what are you doing here!?'

'Sigh…I bypassed the array you drew Ed,' his father explained, pinching the bridge of his nose, 'You are not going to give up your alchemy. Take Al with you and get out of here.'

'B-bu-,' Edward tried to protest, but was cut off by his father. 'Go Edward.' Facing the Truth, he continued, 'Myself and the remnants of my stone. That should be enough for both the boys' ticket out of here whole I think.'

'And what makes you think I am going to accept it?' asked the Truth.

'Because Edward's gate does not match the equivalency. It can be considered both too much and too little. I'm offering my life for Alphonse's and what's left of my stone for their toll back. A life for a life...' replied Hohenheim.

'True. But what will your son think?' facing Ed the Truth continued, 'Hmm, Mr. Alchemist?'

'Of Course Not!' burst Edward as he turned to face his father, 'I thought I told you, we are NOT going to use anyone else's life to get our bodies back!'

'I know, 'said Hohenheim.

'Then why-'

'As I already told you, it's because I'm your father. And I have a feeling that somewhere near in the future your alchemy will be needed very badly.' Hohenheim cut off.

'So what!' Edward shouted back, 'I'll cross the bridge when I come to it! What would Al think anyway? Did you bother asking?!'

His father's face darkened considerably at the mention of Alphonse. 'Edwa-'

'Enough!'Both Edward and his father jumped at the sound of Truth's commanding tone. They had been so caught up in their bickering that they had completely forgotten about the Truth's presence.' Fine, you win Hohenheim,' continued the Truth.

'But I-'

'Quiet, Alchemist!' said the Truth to a protesting Edward, 'A much as I don't appreciate someone who disturbs my dealings with another alchemist, your father does have two points there Edward…'

'I don't care!' argued Edward, 'Alphonse is my little brother. It's our fault that we lost our bodies! We won't involve another person's life in this!'

This time, Truth allowed Edward to rant before saying, 'Indeed, Edward you truly are the person who beat me. Refusing to use the lives of others for your own gain…' Turning o that he could face both the alchemists, he said, 'Hohenheim is right though, you will be needing your alchemy very soon, for a reason that will affect the world for better or worse...'

'There's no way-'

For what seemed the millionth time that day, Edward was cut off,' So here's my decision!' exclaimed Truth.

Edward's eye widened with rage and shock as his gate opened and his father started to deconstruct. 'Stop it!' he screamed as the black tentacle-like arms started to grab hold of him.

'Oh and Mr. Alchemist? To complete the equivalency, I'm taking back your arm. Don't worry though, the automail ports that you used to have will still be in place... ,' said the Truth as Edward felt his arm disintegrating. He couldn't have cared less. All he wanted to do right now was to stop everything. Hell, he wanted to sock the Truth in the face so badly.

'Edward?' called his father

Hohenheim's son could only look desperately at him, begging him to stop the exchange. Returning the expression with a pained smile, Edward's father said;

'Thank you to the both of you for being my sons. I love you.'

For the second time that day, Edward cried. For the last time, his father wished that he could stop those tears.

That was the final time Edward saw his father before being pulled out of their Gates. 'I wonder what the future holds for all of us' said the Truth as he took his place in front of the Gate.

#*#

After Ed and Al arrived back from the Gate, the entire population of Central was thrown into disarray. Medics went straight to the Elric brothers to patch them up. Alphonse was greeted enthusiastically by Mei and the others. Ling and Lan Fan said their farewells to them before returning to Xing that very day and Edward was faced with explaining Selim Bradley's condition to the Fuhrer's wife. Mustang had his sight restored with Marcoh's Philosopher's Stone. Edward received curious glances and questions-which he so vehemently avoided-about his once again missing arm. All in all, everyone present was kept busy with all the work that needed to be done after the battle.

Only Edward, Alphonse and Izumi noticed that Hohenheim was not there. That night in the hospital, Edward had had to explain to his teacher, his brother and his commanding officer about the events that had taken place in the Gate. Alphonse was on the verge of tears as Ed recounted the events while Mustang asked his subordinate about his future.

'I guess Al and I will have to go Back to Reseembol after this,' answered Ed 'I mean, we've got to tell Winry and Granny the news and have a funeral for the old man-not to mention fixing up my automail...' Ed had to cringe at the thought of bloody murder Winry was sure to give him for wrecking his arm.

'And after that?' asked Mustang.

Taking a deep breath before looking at Al, he said, 'Then, I want to travel for a while before settling down…'

'What I mean is- do you still want to continue on as a State Alchemist?' interjected the Colonel.

Edward looked at his commanding officer in shock. He hadn't thought about that… Looking around the room, he saw the reproachful face of his brother and the death glare of Izumi Curtis. 'I-I'll have to think about it…' came Edward's reply.

'Fine,' replied the Colonel, 'But I expect your answer by tomorrow morning, Fullmetal.' With that, the Colonel walked briskly out of the room.

'Don't you dare, Edward!' warned Izumi as soon as the Colonel was out of sight.

'Teacher?!'

"If you even think about reinstating yourself as a State Alchemist, I will personally disembowel you with a spoon!' threatened Edward's alchemy teacher.

Ed couldn't help but pale at that. Teacher always-always-honored her threats. It's not as if I actually want to continue on as a dog of the military.., he thought, But, I still have alchemy…TCH! That bastard of a dad…He just had to go complicate things like this! Scratching the back of his head, Edward let out a long sigh. Deciding that postponing was the better choice at the moment, he faced Izumi;

'Umm… I guess I'll have to sleep on it T- Teacher…'squirmed Ed. He broke out in cold sweat at the glare Izumi was giving him.

'Che!' was her reply 'If you don't have a good answer tomorrow Edward…'All the while muttering under her breath about something that sounded like 'Stupid apprentice deserves to be sliced up…' Izumi stormed out of the hospital room slamming the door behind her. Never was there a better example of the phrase Hell Hath No Fury like a Woman Scorned…..

Edward could only slump down in relief as his teacher left the room. Now, he had at least nine hours remaining before Izumi could decide whether to mercilessly disembowel her student or not. Ed was seriously considering flight over fight. Flopping himself on the chair next to his brother's bed, he ran his fingers through his hair before asking his little brother;

'So… Whaddya think Al? Everything's over and done with; you've got your body back and all…'

Alphonse smiled softly at his brother before answering 'Well, it's kind of confusing…' Edward raised an eyebrow at this.'I-it's not that I'm angry at getting my body back or anything brother!' explained Al, 'I guess… I just wanted time to get to know dad a little better…' he said, sighing

'Tch! Dad was being an idiot. I told him that we wanted to solve our problems on our own,' ranted Edward 'But you know… he asked me to keep my alchemy for the good of the future…' Using his remaining hand to push his bangs away from his face, Ed looked at his brother's thin face.

'Hey, Al?' called Edward, 'I still have my alchemy and the war's finally over… This country will need all the help it can get to recover.'

Standing up and stretching, Ed decided 'And so, disembowelment with a spoon it is then, Al… I'll stay on as the Fullmetal Alchemist!'

'Then I have to say good luck, huh brother?' answered Al with a smile.

#*#

The young Colonel stretched and yawned in exhaustion as he stared at the many stacks of paperwork that still needed to be done. He could finally appreciate how a certain colleague of his would want to incinerate his share of paperwork. He was sorely tempted to do the same. Looking at the wall clock of his office, the golden haired young man cursed. He had worked overtime. Again.

Getting up from his plush chair, Colonel Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, made his way out of the room. Having to work after hours for five days in a row was seriously wearing him down. Winry had already threatened him with castration if he didn't manage to work normal hours by the end of the week. He was going to have to talk with Mustang about giving him any more overtime…

Running his automail hand through his hair, Ed reminisced about the past few years that had flew by in a blink of an eye. After the Promised day, it had taken him a few hours and a lot of dodging Izumi's attacks to convince her of his reasons to stay on as a State Alchemist. It didn't help that they were in a hospital either… All those sharp pointy things made really good weapons if you knew how to use them. The experience had added to another of the many reasons why Ed hated hospitals-it could kill you.

Though, Edward had to admit he had it lucky that he got a three year leave-unpaid- before being officially reinstated into the army. He had spent those years helping his brother rehabilitate, doing a little traveling to the west and best of all, proposing to and marrying his childhood friend, Winry- even if his proposal to her was awkward and became something of a joke to those who heard it….He and Winry had settled in a house in Central, so he could commute more easily to and from work. There, they had had a son, Maes Elric. Such a cute and adorable little-

Edward stopped himself. Dang. Give me a photo of my wife and son, let me gush out loud about them in front of General Mustang while telling him to get some kids with Hawkeye already, and I'm going to be another Hughes… not that Edward was complaining really. That just gave him another way to annoy his former commanding officer, if nothing.

On the other hand, Alphonse was currently in Xing studying alkahestry with the blessing of Emperor Ling Yao. There were many bets going behind Al's back as to when he and May Chang would finally get together. It's only a matter of time now, thought Edward, smirking, those two really look good together…

Then, a few months after Edward had started as a Colonel; a discovery was made that shocked the higher echelons in the Amestris military (they were the only ones who knew) and shook the very foundations of the young alchemist's life . A man had appeared out of nowhere-literally (Ed was one of the witnesses)-in Fuhrer Grumman's office. The intruder was wearing the weirdest outfit anyone had ever seen. A pointy hat adorned his head and he was clothed in robes-yes robes- of purple and orange. Putting the man's horrid taste of fashion aside, he was ancient. Ancient enough to have long silver white hair and a matching beard that reached down to his belt-and yet, the old man had youthful twinkly eyes, noted Ed.

The three of them-Mustang included-had jumped out of their skins at the sudden appearance of the strange man. Within moments, Edward had the old man pinned against a wall with the Flame Alchemist pointing his gloved hand at him, ready to snap and send a torrent of flames at the intruder at a moments notice. But the old man did not struggle in the least. Instead, he let out a hearty chuckle and vanished- only to reappear again in the middle of the Fuhrer's office. Then, before anyone could attempt anything else, the man took a stick out of his pocket, said a strange word and everyone in the room was frozen.

Once that was done, the old man promptly introduced himself. 'Well, if you may be so kind to allow me, young boys,' he had said, eyes twinkling 'my name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. You can call me Dumbledore.'

Dumbledore then proceeded to defy logic again by levitating the three swearing men and putting them down on seats he had somehow conjured. What he said after that however, was something that nearly fried the two alchemist's brains.

Magic exists.

So did wizards, witches, unicorns and just about everything mythical in fairy tales apparently. Even more unbelievably, this magic bypassed the law that the entirety of alchemy was based on -equivalent exchange.

One could only imagine how far the jaws of the Flame and Fullmetal alchemists dropped when they heard this. If even possible, their jaws dropped even further when the old wizard showed them real proof of magic by setting fire to a nearby cabinet then extinguishing it without causing harm to the piece of furniture. Ever the ones to be skeptics however, both of the State Alchemists had checked all over the old man-when he had unfrozen them- for any transmutation circles. There were none.

That really gave Mustang a run for his money thought Edward. He had remembered how baffled he had felt at that time. If magic really existed and it bypassed Equivalent exchange, then, would he and Al not have had to suffer all those years? Though, if he thought about it, it was because of all those adventures and misadventures that had allowed him to meet everyone he knew and allowed him to be where he was today. Like he always told himself- keep looking forward, right?

On a more diplomatic note, Dumbledore had wanted to make an alliance between Amestris and the wizarding world. The Fuhrer, like the two alchemists present, was wary of these new powers. Thus, it had taken a few months, to reason and convince the other higher ups for Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge to come up with a somewhat mutual trust with them- negotiations were still on the way but both sides had come to friendly terms. Edward meanwhile, had put in a request to Dumbledore-who had also told them that he was headmaster to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a.k.a, house to the biggest library in the wizarding world-to do some research about magic. Mustang, on the other hand was very sore about the amount of paperwork the alliance had meant for him.

'Colonel Elric, sir!'

Private Sheska's voice brought him back to the present. Edward never did get used to the way people now addressed him with respect. It was-well- weird…

'Yes Sheska?' prompted Edward.

'The General would like to see you immediately, sir!' replied the mousy Private.

'Sure. Thanks, Sheska!' he said, while running off to the Flame alchemist's office. If Mustang called him in after hours, it was definitely urgent. No point in me getting charred, he thought.

Once Edward reached his destination, he entered to find that that the General had a visitor.

'Why, hello there Edward,' greeted Professor Dumbledore, 'The General and I were just reacquainting ourselves with the joys of drinking tea. Would you care to join us?'

'Um… sure?' said Edward, 'Oh and good evening General, Dumbledore.'

'And the pipsqueak finally learns some manners,' teased Mustang.

Deciding it would be better to keep his mouth shut in company, Edward walked towards the table they were sitting at. Revenge could always come later.

'You wanted something, General?' asked Edward, his teeth gritted.

'Yup. You have a long term mission ahead of you Fullmetal,' answered Mustang. That stopped Ed short.

'A long-term mission, sir?' Edward managed to choke back, 'Care to elaborate?'

'Professor Dumbledore, would you mind?' requested the Flame Alchemist.

'Of course,' said the headmaster chirpily, 'The request that you made to do some research on our magic finally came through young man. That and I believe you have been chosen as ambassador for your country for a spectacular event which is going to be held this year.'

'A-ambassador?' stuttered Edward. Pigs must be flying out the General's window right now. Who would want Edward of all people as ambassador?

'That's right Fullmetal,' said Mustang as if reading his mind, 'Its going to be a one year stint. Correct me if I'm wrong Professor, but I understand that Colonel Edward here is going to witness an event that has not been held for years in your world, am I right?'

'True,' replied Dumbledore, 'The Triwizard Tournament. I will give you more details about this at a later date. Not only that though, as Headmaster, and one who appreciates new knowledge, I would like you to give an introductory class to alchemy at my school. Your superiors, of course, have already agreed to this.'

Edward was stunned. What was Fuhrer Grumman up to, sending him as both ambassador and teacher? Plus, he had a family to look after!

'Unfortunately, General, I can't just leave my wife and son for a year,' said Edward rather testily.

'However, if you do agree to this mission, Fullmetal, you will also get a non- restricted access to the library and the wide experience of all the professors at the school,' reasoned Mustang. Almost got him, thought the Flame Alchemist when he saw his young subordinate's gravity defying cowlick twitch, Now I just need a clincher…

And a clincher did come in the form of Albus Dumbledore;

'Of course, how airheaded of me to forget!' he exclaimed 'Your family is invited to visit the school any time they wish to do so.'

'F-fine then…' said a defeated Edward, 'But I'll need time to prepare…' The runt swallows the hook line and sinker, smirked Mustang.

'Then it's a deal!' replied a twinkly eyed Dumbledore, 'I will be coming and going in the next few weeks with a list of things and some materials for your stay at Hogwarts. Probably the Minister would want you to participate in the preparation of the tournament, but that will be taken care of later.'

'Yes, sir,' answered Edward.

'Now, I must hurry along. It does not do for one to be late for their own meeting,' said the headmaster before vanishing.

Glaring at his superior, Edward growled out, 'You're going to do the explaining to Winry. I'm not going to get bloodied for this,' as he stormed out of the office.

General Roy mustang flinched at the blonde's words. He had seen how hard Mrs. Elric could throw a wrench. This was not going to end peacefully for him…

Somehow, he had a feeling-no, he was sure- that the year ahead of them was going to be full of surprises….

A/N: Hope you liked it. More on Ed and Winry's wedding in my other fanfiction- A JOURNEY'S END, A NEW BEGINNING. Please rate and review. * runs to catch a mouse*